Since 1999, AIMS has raised approximately A$4.0 billion in funds from the capital markets. Of this, AIMS has issued approximately A$3.0 billion residential mortgage-backed securities, with most of them rated AAA by both Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings, and has originated over A$9.0 billion of home loans and commercial loans.

Since 2009 after the GFC, AIMS Group had a total acquisition and investment amount of over A$2 billion assets.

AIMS' head office is in Sydney, Australia, and it has businesses across Australia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Our highly qualified, professional and experienced cross-cultural teams enable AIMS to bridge the gap between Australia and China across various sectors.

AIMS Financial Group Expands During GFC

During the global financial crisis, AIMS expanded its business in a time when many other businesses were experiencing immense difficulties.

In October 2008, AIMS acquired the Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX).

In April 2009, AIMS became the largest shareholder (15.8%) of the ASX listed fund manager, MacarthurCook Limited (MCK). In August 2009, AIMS' holding increased to 54.0% and by November 2009, AIMS' became the 100.0% owner of MCK which was subsequently delisted from the ASX.

MacarthurCook Turnaround Story

At the time of acquisition, MacarthurCook's fund management business was severely distressed with each of the 4 listed funds and a number of unlisted funds starved of capital and management expertise. Under AIMS' leadership, MacarthurCook's funds have been turned around, stabilised and outcomes improved for investors. Some examples include:

A. The MacarthurCook Industrial REIT (MI-REIT) listed on the SGX (now known as AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT). At the time of the AIMS acquisition of MacarthurCook in 2009, MI-REIT was a vehicle which was in distress. MI-REIT had an obligation to refinance S$220.8million and purchase a S$90.2million property, which previous management had entered into in 2007, without first securing finance. As at 31 March 2009, MI-REIT's market capitalisation was approximately S$60.2 million and total assets were S$544.0 million. In December 2009, MI-REIT was renamed to AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT (AA-REIT). Under the new management of AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT Management Limited, a joint venture REIT management company owned 50% by AIMS and AMP Capital, AA-REIT has grown significantly with a market capitalisation S$932.4 million and S$1.5 billion total assets as at 30 June 2016.

B. The privatisation of the MacarthurCook Industrial Property Fund (MIF) which was formerly listed on the ASX and was distressed at the time of acquisition. The share price of the fund at the time AIMS took over MacarthurCook was $0.16. AIMS reduced vacancy in the MIF portfolio and improved the weighted average lease expiry to more than 5 years. In October 2010, unitholders voted in favour of accepting an offer from a US fund at A$0.44 per unit representing a 42.0% premium to the pre-announcement trading price.

C. The AIMS Property Securities Fund (APW) (formerly known as MacarthurCook Property Securities Fund), which is listed on the ASX and SGX. Since the takeover of MacarthurCook, through AIMS management, APW has been able to significantly reduce its debt from A$44.5 million (gearing ratio of 38%) to nil as at 31 May 2013. APW is now uniquely positioned to access the capital markets in Australia and Asia through its dual listing on the ASX and SGX. Under AIMS’ management, the Fund, observing prudent, conservative and patient investment principles, has invested in a portfolio of assets that have not only provided a stable income stream but have demonstrated increases in capital value, with further potential upside. Since June 2013 the fund has maintained a debt free position. The total asset value has grown from A$59.5 million in June 2013 to A$95 million in Dec. 2018.

We are pleased to have sucessfully turned around a number of MacarthurCook's distressed funds for our investors. This required AIMS Group to provide a significant amount of capital into the MacarthurCook's funds and operating business.